Final Frontier

Issue: Competition Is Heating Up For Space Business.

Florida has been at the center of America's space exploration efforts from the very beginning. Indeed, Cape Canaveral has become almost synonymous with the country's space flight achievements.

Times, however, are changing. As technology advances, so will the shape of space flight. In the not-too-distant future, we could see spacecraft taking off like airplanes, making launch pads obsolete. Indeed, the spaceport of the future could look like a regular airport.

Private industry is also getting into the business of space travel. Government-sponsored space exploration will soon be followed by space tourism and commerce, and there's no guarantee Florida will maintain its position as "space central" for the United States.

Fortunately, Florida's leaders are aware of the challenges to maintaining the state's preeminent position in space flight. This week, Gov. Jeb Bush issued an executive order establishing the Commission on the Future of Space and Aeronautics in Florida. The commission will be charged with finding ways to maintain and expand the state's aerospace capabilities.

It has its work cut out for it. Other states have their sights set on capturing a share of the aerospace industry, and they are willing to make major investments, the same way Florida did to lure The Scripps Research Institute to Palm Beach County.

As it goes about its work, the new space commission needs to pay particular attention to education. Space businesses need an educated workforce well trained in science and technology.

The stakes are high. Florida's space industry employs 23,000 people in some of the state's best paying jobs. Florida had better be ready to make major investments in aerospace, or it could find itself losing these jobs to more aggressive competitors.

BOTTOM LINE: Florida needs to compete aggressively in order to win the "space race" against other states.